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Shep

Policesirenswailedinthe distance. Time for us to move. I led Cam and her brother to the black sedan.

“Get in.” I told Justin and opened the back door.

He hesitated.

I spoke through gritted teeth. “Do anything stupid now and you and I are gonna have a problem.”

He had the nerve to look pissed and like he wanted to say something which would end with my fist in his face, but kept his mouth shut and got in the car. Cam eyed our tense exchange before getting in the front passenger seat without a word.

Landers and the waitress had already split. A minute later, we were on our way.

The sirens drew nearer, but we had enough of a lead to drive away without drawing attention. Pedestrians were scarce. Perhaps the gunfire had sent them scrambling.

On the dark inner-city streets, we encountered the usual Philly congestion. I wanted nothing more than to hit the gas and weave through the gaps in oncoming traffic, but it was wiser to blend in.

Next to me, Cam gnawed on a fingernail or five. Her constant checks in the side mirror didn’t calm her any.

Justin groaned in pain while adjusting his position in the back seat. “I’m sorry, Cammy,” he panted. “I never wanted you to get hurt. I didn’t think any of this would come back on you.”

She spun to face him so fast I thought she might climb back there and slap him. “You hid Mafia drugs and money in my car!” she yelled. “What the hell did you think would happen?”

The fuck?

I turned and glared at the son of a bitch who was smart enough to shift away from my reach.

“I know. It was dumb and I’m sorry.” He hissed and held his ribs. “I haven’t been thinking right lately—”

“Because you’re cooked all the time.” Cam interrupted.

“I was, yeah, but I’ve been clean for five days. I’m done with all that, I swear.”

Cam scoffed. “Spare me your bullshit. I’ve heard it all before.” She flopped back in her seat and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“I needed money and didn’t want to ask you again. Plus, I wanted to pay you back for all the times before. I made a stupid, messed-up decision in a moment of weakness. Once I realized what I’d done, it was too late to take it back. They’d have killed me for sure.”

A horn blasted behind us, and Cam jumped. But it was nothing, only an impatient jerk.

She rubbed her red eyes. “Jesus, when are we going to be out of here?”

“Soon. Not much further.” I glanced in my rear-view mirror and continued to monitor for anyone tailing us.

Cam sighed and turned back to her brother. “How bad are you hurt?”

“Think I’ve got a cracked rib or two.” His voice strained as he tested the injury. “And a couple of fucked-up fingers.”

“Shit. Did Ben do any of that?” Cam gestured at Justin’s busted-up face.

“Ben? You mean Brandon?” He shook his head. “No, it was Franky’s guys.”

I eyed him through the rear-view mirror to find him grimacing in pain.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you somewhere safe.” Cam turned to me. “Won’t we? Wherearewe going?”

“A rehab facility. It’s discreet. People go there when they don’t want anyone to know they’re drying out or detoxing.” I glanced at her. “They’ll patch up the rest of him there, too. He’ll be safe.”